Coats for Kids aims to provide warmth

Emblem Club members Cleo Curtiss and Bonnie Bremer used cash donations to purchase winter coats for local school children. The Pilot / Lorna Rodriguez

If two local groups have their way, none of Curry County’s children and adults will go cold this winter.

The Brookings Emblem Club #265 and Chetco Federal Credit Union are sponsoring two separate coat drives to collect and provide warm clothing for those in need this winter.

Brookings Emblem
Club #265

The Brookings Emblem Club #265 will gather warm winter clothing – coats, crocheted or knitted hats and scarves – for Brookings-Harbor and Smith River children of all ages. Its annual drive starts Saturday.

New or gently used apparel can be dropped off from Oct. 20 through Nov. 20 at Brookings City Hall, Chetco Community Public Library, Brookings Elks Lodge 1934, U.S. Bank, Harbor Copy All and Curves. Large red tubs, courtesy of Ace Hardware, will be at each location to store coats.

“It’s just really fun to do,” Coats for Kids chairman Cleo Curtiss said. “You love the kids. We’re all moms, grandmas and aunties. It’s just a good feeling to help the kids.”

Coats for children in grades preschool through 12 are appreciated. However, boys sizes 7-8 to 12 are requested most often, Curtiss said.

Cash donations are accepted as well. Checks may be mailed to Brookings Emblem Club #265, PO Box 1854, Brookings, OR 97415.

After all of the donations are received, the coats are disbursed by the schools according to need. If people have children in need, they should contact the schools, Curtiss said.

Lots of people have financial problems right now, so a $50 coat really helps,” Curtiss said. That’s what we aim to do.”

Coats for Kids was started by the Brookings Emblem Club in 2006. The first year, the club received 38 coats. Today it receives 300 to 400.

“It’s just a very rewarding program to do every year,” Curtiss said. “Everyone is so generous. We just get coats from all over.”

Chetco Federal Credit Union

CFCU branches will partner with Bicoastal Media to collect coats for people of all ages – toddlers, elementary students, teens and adults – now through Dec. 31.

Coats can be dropped off at any CFCU branch from Crescent City to Bandon.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to help others in the community,” CFCU marketing manager Judy May-Lopez said. “To help those in the community that can use a little hand up.

“It’s really, really worked out well. We have a lot of people that when they come in, they will bring in coats that are brand new. They still have price tags on them.”